Text Components
Here, you'll find guidance on using text components like a Call-Out Card and an Announcement Card to enhance your content. Our aim is to help you create accessible and user-friendly content. Each entry provides a brief overview, practical examples, and tips to ensure your content is easy to read and meets accessibility standards.
Component Options
This is the text component. It allows you to enter your text and apply various formatting options available from the formatting toolbar. You can create lists and hyperlinks within your text box. This will be the most commonly used component on your site.
Example
Text will display like this when using this component. You can format it using bold, italic, and underline options, create bulleted or numbered lists, and insert hyperlinks. This is a basic example of how the text component appears on the page.
A Call-Out Card is a standard text box styled with a grey background to make it stand out from other text content. It is best used for small sections of content, typically no more than one paragraph. Good use cases include highlighting deadlines, requirements, or tips and important information.
If needed, a heading level can also be added to the Call-Out Card using the configure (wrench) icon.
Example
Important Deadline
Submit your application by September 30 to ensure consideration for the upcoming semester.
Heading structure is used on web pages to organize information into an outline format. They provide visual cues that a new content section has started, effectively serving as titles for your content sections. Use heading levels to create a clear hierarchy and guide users through your content.
Accessibility
Ensure your heading levels follow a logical sequence for better accessibility. Avoid skipping levels (e.g., jumping from H2 to H4) as this can affect screen readers and the overall structure of your content. Additional resources on how to ensure your heading levels are accessible are available on the Accessibility Network website.
Example
Heading Level 2
Heading Level 3
Heading Level 4
Heading Level 5
Heading Level 6
The Page Title is the main heading (H1) for your page and is essential for SEO and accessibility. It is set through the Page Properties screen when creating a page in AEM templates. You cannot edit the Page Title directly on the page; instead, you must update it through the Page Properties screen in the "Main Content H1 (News Headline)" field.
Authors should not need to add a Page Title to a page manually, as it is already included in the template. However, it is important to keep the Page Title updated as needed through the Page Properties screen. Be cautious not to delete this component, as it is an integral part of the page.
Example
Text Components
The page title for this page is set as "Text Components" as can also be seen at the top of the page.
The Call to Action Button is designed to prompt users to take a specific action, such as signing up, registering, or contacting someone. Use this button strategically to encourage users to complete important tasks. Avoid using it for navigation or as a replacement for a list of links. To be effective, avoid placing multiple Call to Action Buttons in a row, as this can confuse users and make actions less clear.
Example
The Contact Card functions like a digital business card, allowing you to input a name, title, and other basic contact information. You can also add a headshot; if none is provided, a default UC logo will be used instead. It can also be used to provide generic contact information for an office or program in the case of a shared inbox.
A related component, e-professional, looks similar but is automated using e-professional data. Consider both components when setting up contact information to choose the best option.
Example
Name
Title, Department
Address
This is a small text box where you can include some additional biography information. There is a character limit on this space.
The Intro Text component is used at the top of the page to welcome users and help them understand the content. It should be applied to all top pages and pages that perform well in search. This text is slightly larger than regular copy size to make it stand out and effectively introduce the page's content.
Example
Welcome to our guide on using text components. This page will help you understand how to effectively use different text elements to enhance your content and improve user experience.
The Pull Quote component is a stylized text element designed to look like a quote. It allows you to display a quote prominently on the page. Enter the quote on one line and provide attribution in two lines: typically, the name of the person and their year, such as "John Student" and "Class of '22."
Example
Learning how to effectively use different text components has greatly improved my content creation skills.
AEM Author Class of '24
The Table component is intended for content that benefits from a structured grid of rows and columns, such as displaying tuition fees or schedules. Use it only when the content truly warrants a table. Avoid using tables for content with many blank cells or complex structures like merged or split cells, as these can be challenging for accessibility and maintenance. Consider using heading levels or splitting information into two tables instead.
Example
Day | Open | Close |
---|---|---|
Monday | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM |
Tuesday | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM |
Wednesday | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM |
Thursday | 8:00 AM | 7:00 PM |
Friday | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM |
Saturday | 10:00 AM | 3:00 PM |
Sunday | Closed | Closed |
The Text + Image component combines a text component with an image component, allowing you to display text alongside an image. This can be especially useful for vertical photos or when you want the text to wrap around the image.
For details on using images, refer to the Image component page in the user guide.
Example
Enhance your content with a visual element. For instance, if you're showcasing a new product or an event, you might use the Text + Image component to provide a description next to a relevant image.
The Announcement Card is similar to the Call-Out Card but features a red background to make it stand out more prominently. It is designed for important announcements or urgent messages. This component also includes a button that you can add to prompt users to take action. Unlike the Call-Out Card, the Announcement Card requires a heading to clearly convey the main message.
Example
Important Housing Information
New housing application deadlines are approaching. Ensure you submit your application by the end of this week to be considered for the upcoming semester.
Text Editing Toolbar
You can open a component to edit the content using the edit (pencil) icon of the component toolbar. For most of the text components listed below, when engaging the edit (pencil) icon a new text editing toolbar will appear and provides the following options.
- Format: Set bold, italic and underline formatting
- Lists: Create bulleted or numbered lists or set the indentation
- To ensure your content is accessible, be sure to format all your lists as either a bulletted or numbered list. Do not manually create lists with spaces and hypens.
- Hyperlink: Insert both internal or external links
- Unlink: Removes an existing hyperlink
- Fullscreen: Opens the text editor in a full window, for use of when working with large sections of text.
- Close: Clicking the "x" icon will cancel out any edits you have made since you last opened the component.
- Save: Clicking the checkmark icon will save your edits.
AEM Tip
If you need to use an anchor you can access that function from full screen mode.